An Italian actress and model says she was raped by Harvey Weinstein at a Los Angeles hotel in 2013. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, File)

(Newser)
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A new accusation against Harvey Weinstein could "open the door to a prosecution" a former sex crimes prosecutor tells the Los Angeles Times. A 38-year-old model and actress—well-known in Italy—met with the Los Angeles Police Department on Thursday, accusing the producer of sexually assaulting her at a Los Angeles hotel in 2013. The unnamed woman says Weinstein, whom she was introduced to by a mutual acquaintance, showed up at her hotel uninvited following the Los Angeles, Italia Film, Fashion and Art Fest. She says she told him he couldn't come to her room, but he ignored her. “He ... bullied his way into my hotel room," the woman says. "[He] became very aggressive and demanding and kept asking to see me naked. He grabbed me by the hair and forced me to do something I did not want to do. He then dragged me to the bathroom and forcibly raped me.”

The woman says she told a friend, nanny, and priest about the assault after it happened but didn't go to police. She is hiding her identity now out of fear of retaliation and for her children's privacy. Capt. Billy Hayes says the LAPD is investigating the woman's claim. She is the sixth person to accuse Weinstein of rape or forced sex acts, but unlike most of the criminal allegations against Weinstein, this alleged crime happened within the 10-year statute of limitations. A rep for Weinstein says she "can't respond to some anonymous complaint." Meanwhile, staffers at the Weinstein Company released a statement Thursday saying they "did not know we were working for a serial sexual predator," calling the producer a "monster," Deadline reports.

So many negative comments aimed at the victim here. After the rape she consoled with a few close friends and a PRIEST. I am sure the authorities will talk to all of those close friends and especially the Priest. She was in a foreign country and raped by a very powerful man. I feel her pain. If the Priest and close friends collaborate her claim......then I believe it is true. Harvey Weinstein is a Monster. Why/how did all of his male associates allow this Devil of a man continue to prey on young women. Thankfully it is over and he will see some serious prison time unless he saves the prosecutors the time and effort...... but wait a minute, he doesn't think he did anything wrong. He claims it was all consensual....BullSh_t.

tvsgael2

Oct 20, 2017 12:18 PM CDT

Gotta call foul on her. No excuse not to go to the police when it happened, get a rape kit, and put that guy in prison. But no, she tells us what could be a fairy tale.

Jeff N

Oct 20, 2017 12:13 PM CDT

Interesting. I don't condone what has allegedly happened, but all of a sudden all these women decide to be emboldened and come forward? They didn't speak out when it happened because it was necessary to get the deal. Seems that most knew (or learned) that this is the way Hollywood works. You gotta sleep with the troll to cross the bridge. You want fame? You have to jump through some disgusting hoops to get the chance. Why are women so ready to pose for Playboy? So they get to go to the Mansion parties, meet ugly rich guys, and have a nice, cushy life. This Weinstein stuff doesn't surprise anyone. If the women were so offended, why didn't they file charges then? Cops don't owe any allegiance to Hollywood.